After 4 consecutive league draws, Avro returned to winning ways with a hard-fought 3-2 win against Congleton Town this afternoon. A double from James Dwyer and a debut goal for Harry Bunn saw Avro go into the break with a 3-0 lead. A second half fight back wasn’t enough for Congleton and Avro sealed maximum points.
David Birch and Mike Norton named Harry Bunn in the starting eleven after his arrival from Hyde United yesterday afternoon. Harry arrives with a wealth of football league experience after spells at Huddersfield Town, Bury and Preston North End to name a few. This experience showed just before half time when, after an individual run, he slotted past Ellison in the Congleton goal to put Avro 3 ahead.
It was a performance which had confidence from the start for Avro who looked comfortable on the ball and limited Congleton to any clear chances, which few teams in the league have managed so far. Chiekh Thiam had the first chances of the afternoon for Avro with his shot hitting the side netting after bringing the ball down well on the edge of the box.
The deadlock was broken in the 15th minute when James Dwyer met the ball with a towering header from the corner. He’s been threatening the goal over the past few weeks, so it was no surprise when his header buried into the corner.
Avro responded well to going ahead and limited Congleton to any chances. Ethan Hartshorn was the only Congleton player to have any meaningful attempt on goal, but his shot on the edge of the box was comfortably saved by Shenton in the Avro goal.
It was an attacking flurry just before the break which put the game firmly in Avro’s hands. James Dwyer got his second goal of the afternoon, once again from a set piece. After a towering header first time out, it was a strike into the corner from Dwyer, leaving Ellison with no chance in goal. As it looked to be going into the break at 2-0, Harry Bunn had other ideas. A great solo run saw him work his way into the box before slotting it calmy into the far corner to put Avro 3-0 ahead at the break.
It was a tale of two halves and, as expected, Congleton responded well to the first half set back and come out fighting in the second half. Just 10 minutes into the half, Ethan Hartshorn pulled one back for the visitors as Congleton looked to salvage the game to earn points in their crucial fight for promotion.
Avro steadied the Congleton tide and settled the flow of the game after a fast start to the second half. This resulted in Avro almost finding a fourth, but a header met by Geffry Ebhote was tipped onto the bar and out for a corner.
With 10 minutes left to play, Congleton found themselves just a goal behind after a second goal for Ethan Hartshorn made it 3-2. Despite late pressure, it was Avro that held onto the advantage and prevented Congleton from continuing their positive run of form.
Avro are back in action on Tuesday, 11th February, when they are on the road again in a re-arranged away fixture against Newcastle Town.
